Indholdsfortegnelse for September 2022 i VOGUE PHILIPPINES

Y ou’ll have to wait an hour to cross over,” The guide tells us. The tide on the Biri shore will be lower by 9 A.M., he explains, and we will be able to wade comfortably through the warm waters of Northern Samar. Separated by 400 meters waves of Philippine Sea, we watch as the fashion team shoots our cover story on towering limestone formations, whipped and stretched to the edges of gravity, carved out by the elements some 23 million years ago. An hour’s pause is not a problem. We have been waiting a long time for this. Three months ago, this otherworldly landscape was just an idea on paper. Part of the cast of characters in our main fashion story, our ambitious adventure set on the Philippines’ three…

Oversized totes are taking over with enough space for form, flexibility, and, most importantly, function. Take it from the brands that blew up foundational shapes to maximalist must-haves. Marc Jacobs’ expandable sling can take you from morning to night and even on to the next day, Bottega Veneta’s maxi clutch leaves extra room for more than just your phone and lipstick, and Alexander McQueen’s roomy hand tote fits in your mobile office: notebook, laptop, and a super-sized canteen included.…

MUST HAVES Fashion’s obsession with everything crafty remains strong. This time it’s a focus on interlacing, be it a finish on edges or interwoven as straps. Braids give an otherwise flat handbag ton of texture. Givenchy’s short plaited handle comes interlooped with metal, contrasting a structured stark cream finish. But it was Bottega Veneta that showcased the ultimate intertwine,. First, in a mini bucket bag crafted entirely out of woven leather, and then in a delicious chocolate top handle in a high shine basket weave finish, that’s definitely more boutique than bazaar.…

Head We suggest that you take cover, by way of the season’s surprising trend: fitted hoods, of course. Attached to tops and dresses, the head-hugging covering provides the protection of a beanie without the added accessory. Look to Simone Rocha’s cable knit ensemble—a puff-sleeve top with micro shorts to match—for a look that you can wear on its own or worn under your favorite blazer. Shoulders There’s the harder edged suit set, but there’s also a shoulder movement that likes to keep it on the low. Dolce & Gabbana’s take involves an oversized blazer with soft curves that slant down, wearable on its own as a dress or as part of the usual slouchy blazer and trouser set. Done right, a sloped style gives a more natural shape, and a…

FEATURE THE WORLD HAS SOMETHING TO LEARN FROM THE WAY WE DO THINGS which is still, really, old school,” says Pauline Suaco-Juan. The local fashion fixture and thought leader speaks from her experiences as a former editor and, most recently, head of a government agency that promotes fashion exports around the world. One of Suaco-Juan’s early memories was of her mother retrieving vintage or gifted fabrics from the attic whenever the modista would visit on a Sunday. The modista, or dressmaker, would make these into one-of-a-kind creations. Over the years, the modista and the women of her household developed a bond based on an understanding of the latter’s quirks and peculiarities. This manifested through the thorough record of body measurements and corresponding changes that marked their respective journeys to womanhood.…

1st issue of Vogue Philippines The magazine’s 28th global edition took shape in 2022, just as the world was finding its footing again. During this highly formative period, the maiden issue is a symbol of Filipino rigor and resilience. Launched in September, Vogue Philippines’ first underscores the longheld Filipino values of optimism, empathy, and bayanihan—the spirit of helping others. 3 main islands of the Philippines serve as the backdrop for the cover story Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—the three main islands out of the Philippines’ 7,107. Serving as the background for the Philippine edition’s first cover, Vogue spotlights the fashion, beauty, and cultural conventions unique to each island. 2019 was the year Vogue Values was launched Signed by editors-in-chief, Vogue Values was launched three years ago as a promise to put…

Solaire, the Philippines’ pioneer in the local integrated resort industry, built a reputation of grandiose aspirations that trickle to every corner of its expansive Manila property. It exudes a serene elegance but with a touch of exciting vibrancy - a signature which many try to imitate but never perfected. The resort’s structural design employs a stratified look that aims to highlight the views that surround it, from the blue summer skies, dramatic Manila Bay sunset, to the bustling Metro Manila city lights. Sublime luxury and contemporary tastes influenced by the world and the local heritage create a distinguishable aesthetic that’s unique to Solaire and unlike any Filipino brand, both in and out of the industry it dominates. From its architectural modernness, Solaire’s interiors also carry a blend of qualities in…

Chef Sau Del Rosario is what you would call an old school chef. He’s so classic, he might as well be French. “They call me anti-millennial,” he says of the 16 young chefs who work for him in Sawsaw, Del Rosario’s newest restaurant and homage to Filipino cuisine in Poblacion, Makati. “I just get upset when they leave their water bottles lying around.” His no-water-bottle policy has less to do with a disdain for Hydroflasks and Kleen Kanteens and more to do with his formative training in French kitchens and their military-style ethic. “When you’re in the kitchen, you’re at war,” he states. “If you stop to drink water, somebody’s going to shoot you.” With the wide open kitchen standing as the restaurant’s focal point, it’s not surprising to hear…

FEATURE Dig deep into our cultural soil and you’ll find the feral richness of our own “indio-genius,” a term used by national artist Kidlat Takimik to refer to the wisdom of our heritage and history. In this time when our world so desperately needs benchmarks for building thrivable communities, we can look to the past to inform our way forward. The model of the pre-colonial barangay provides an important blueprint for the birth of new ways of being in community as it was characterized by an astonishing level of autonomy and self-governance. A conclave of characters we often encounter only in literature and the screen represented the structure of governance of the barangay: the datu, babaylan, bagani, and panday. They personified vision, wisdom, courage, and creativity for the community. The…

Ann and Billie Dumaliang woke up one morning in February 2020 to find that 500 hectares of land set for reforestation in the Masungi Georeserve area had been fenced out with barbed wire. This was just the beginning of their troubles with a quarrying consortium, who has since been using harassment and intimidation to encroach upon the valuable land that the Dumaliang sisters and their park rangers work to protect. Quarrying in the area has been categorically illegal since 1993, while the Upper Marikina Watershed and the Masungi Georeserve area have been declared protected areas since 2011. Yet quarrying companies still possess permits issued 24 years ago. In April this year, after much talk and little action, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued an order of suspension…

CONCEPCION & CAXANTINO MACATUNO It is fitting that mother-son tandem Concepcion and Caxantino Macatuno feel connected by art and creativity. While both have different expressions of them— she is a filmmaker and clothing designer while he is an artist and mechanical engineering student—they are two halves of a whole. CENON NORIAL III AND MAV BERNARDO Another pair of visual artists, Cenon Norial III and Mav Bernardo are drawn together by the elements of fantasy and work. Cenon’s elevated classic and Mav’s eccentric contemporary are a surprisingly harmonious combination, shaping their dynamic as a couple and creative duo. MONA AND ISABEL SANTOS Craft can be passed down through generations, but mastery isn’t always the case. Consider Mona and Isabel Santos two of the lucky ones, as the mother and daughter are…

FEATURE Whether it’s a tub of aloe vera, iterations of rosehip oil, niacinamide or the beloved vitamin C, beauty shelves are resembling apothecaries. They’re flush with the buzziest new derma discovery or a tried and tested favorite even your elegant grandmother swears by. Suddenly beauty bottles with a slew of ingredients listed at the back have instead displayed the product’s provenance, proudly citing villages and towns of the source. With beauty’s celebration of traceability comes a need to recontextualize how brands treat the source of their bottled creations. Brands like UK-based Lush have ethical buying codes that commit to purchasing sustainably, investing in farms and people, and safeguarding biodiversity across the globe. “It makes up a critical part of our business plan to create a cosmetics revolution and regenerate the…

VOLUME UP A wild mane is in peak season. At Alaïa, skin tight one-pieces are paired with bouncing curls in untamed proportions. Meanwhile, long strands are teased from root to tip at Rick Owens and Hermès, and at Miu Miu, hair goes short with a softly curled triangle bob. TIMELESS TWISTS Interlaced strands featured prominently on the catwalks, making it the season’s biggest hair trend. Take your pick from the array of braids: chunky at Simone Rocha, milkmaid at Christian Dior, or cornrows at Chanel, Balmain, and Givenchy. WASHED OUT This fall, neutral and playful hues favor the lighter end of the spectrum. A pared-down plum takes over at Miu Miu and Balenciaga, while Gucci completes its looks with mellow copper and teal tresses. HIGH SHINE Glossed out locks are…

After a life of conquering heights outdoors, Carina Dayondon says she had to adjust to being inside. As the first Filipina to climb the Seven Summits of the world, Dayondon is an accomplished force. She is the second Filipina to reach the peak of Mount Everest, Earth’s highest peak above sea level, which she achieved with an all-women team composed of Noelle Wenceslao and Janet Belarmino. In Tibetan, Mount Everest is “Chomolungma” which means “Mother Goddess of the World”— an ode to feminal origins. She comes from Bukidnon, which directly translates to “highlander” or “mountain dweller.” Located in the country's southernmost island of Mindanao, the province has an abundance of mountains and lush agriculture. Both formed and informed by this topography, Dayondon was always exposed to a life of adventure,…

If a smile is the best accessory you can wear, the Philippines has one of the most stylish people on Earth. It is one of the many things that we’re known for, along with our warm presence, curious appetites, and mean skills in karaoke. What makes our smiles so appealing and unique from everyone else is the graciousness by which we offer them. Whatever shortcomings we might have, Filipinos are a generally happy lot and always have a smile at the ready and it isn’t a mask. We offer it immediately to whoever we meet, and it almost always comes from a genuine place. The diversity of our smiles as well as the reasons behind them are as many as the names for rice that we have. Whether it is…

“A slow build,” was Vianca Soleil Roquero’s gospel in constructing Unna, an eco-resort nestled between a cove and a mangrove forest, located in the idyllic barrio of Puro Island, Romblon. It’s been over two years in the making, but Vianca is in no rush to open its doors haphazardly, despite her DMs flooding with inquiries. “Ideally, earliest by 2023 we have to open,” she says, but who’s counting the days? Curious travelers probably are, but not Vianca, as she remains mindful of Unna Resort’s noninvasive construction, sourcing of furniture, and impact on the existing community of Puro. “Coming here, we didn’t build with machinery or big trucks. I realized that the most sustainable way to build was to build like a local.” Roquero is a trained interior designer and photographer…

Charles Lu Photographer, SHAPE OF NOW “The terno is an iconic symbol of Filipino tradition and identity. I felt extremely blessed and thrilled to represent my culture to a global audience. It was exciting to play with lights and colors to project the terno to an imagined tomorrow where they’ve evolved together with our future selves.” Apol Massebieau Writer, OUR TOWN “Writing the story about the creatives of La Union was an invigorating experience. The energy and the passion of this lot was just wow. I got to know my community better, and in the process it deepened my love for this place.” Sharif Hamza Photographer, POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE “I dedicate this shoot, one of the most important I have ever worked on, to my late Filipino grandmother Cresencia…

On the runway, unconventional trumps traditional. Jil Sander’s purse, for example, moonlights as a bold statement cuff, with an exaggerated flat bow atop a slouched body. Givenchy’s black bucket bag is adorned with chain link logo straps and spiky pom poms. At Bottega Veneta, a high shine burgundy clutch forgoes handles and mimics the humble puffed scatter cushion. While blending in is of course acceptable, standing out presents a much more interesting proposition.…

Flat grounders beware. Thick platforms are leading the revolt against the established floor-level order. And their battle cry: height is might! With instant elevation and a towering lift it’s not that hard to step into the cause. Whether it’s Versace’s triple straps—ending in a point, Valentino’s patent pink finished with a square edge, or Bottega Veneta’s curved heel balanced with an oversized buckle, one thing’s for sure: platforms are the new highs.…

REGENERATIVE FASHION I t’s been 30 years since the launch of Bayo, one of the country’s most well-known fashion brands, and eight years since Leo and Anna Lagon acquired it. Bayo was homegrown before it was even cool to be homegrown. Now, the Lagons are adding a whole new dimension to the term homegrown, regenerative fashion. Regenerative fashion considers all the different processes involved in creating a piece of clothing. It transforms its supply chain into a value chain and along the way, refashioning clothing into a resource rather than an eventual waste product. Along its supply chain, any kind of fabric still leaves an environmental footprint. While not typically a word you’d associate with fashion, “regenerative” is becoming part of the conversation on circularity. When it comes to the…

Growing up, I was always interested in vintage gems because of my family. My step-grandmother used to collect vintage designer pieces: a 1980s Chanel brooch, an Escada suit in a highlighter green with a contrasting pink hem, or a Versace skirt suit with a 1990s appeal. Then, once my sister started investing in vintage pieces, something resonated with me. She would tell me, “Always check the details of the piece—the fabric, the quality, if it’s ethically made, and the sustainability process—before committing.” Her fondness for yesteryear pieces and her efforts in tirelessly tracking down vintage Pradas became something that I carried with me during my post-university days. Thrifting with her in London allowed me to scour troves of vintage in the most unexpected of places. I would spend what was…

SHOPPING…

1 RIZAL IN SAGA: A LIFE FOR STUDENT FANS BY NICK JOAQUIN Nick Joaquin telling Jose Rizal’s origin story across 35 chapters of distinct and lively prose is like listening to the fun tita or tito holding court over dinner around a long table with a sweeping tale. It’s a mesmerizing read that, for anyone who was taught in school that Rizal was faultless and saintly, makes our national hero far more human, sometimes driven by familial duty or plagued by insecurity, mostly to do with height. “But our national hero is a shorty armed with a pen and book. Jose Rizal was literally, physically short. Full-grown, he measured about five feet in height, give or take an inch or two. And in childhood he grew so slowly that, on…

WHO’S NEXT It’s almost dinner time and Reyna’s tiny bubblegum pink sign hides in plain sight in Paris’ 11th arrondissement. On the narrow sidewalks, a stream of well-dressed people, young families, gallery types, and plenty of well-coiffed men take a moment to look through the menu posted at the door and to peek into the tiny, 32-seat restaurant. Perhaps they are intrigued by the pink-and-red sign, with its ’90s hip hop-inspired font, or the seasonal menu that includes Bicol Express, Hainan Burrata with kecap manis, patis-flavored fried chicken wings, and pavlova with pandan creme Chantilly. The pink signs, musical references, and mix of Filipino and pan-Asian flavors might not make sense, but that’s perfectly all right with the chef. “On Le Fooding it says Filipino but also cuisine d’auteur,” explains…

TRAVEL AT THE APEX OF THE SAN BERNARDINO STRAIT AND THE PACIFIC OCEAN, waves from rivaling waters clash against Biri’s majestic limestone formations. As waters relax, so does the island. Orange hues from the sunset illuminate the endless horizon, giving light to dense mangrove forests, pristine saltwater pools, and easy-going locals. Located just off the coast of Northern Samar, Biri is known for its otherworldly charm of Tatooine-esque rocks. While the island is a modest 24 square kilometers, Biri offers travelers a unique experience of nature liberated and unhinged. The best times to visit Biri are from the months of February to May, as we would recommend you avoid the rainy season. If you’re coming from Manila, you can get to Biri in a number of ways, but your jumpoff…

The abrupt and indefinite transition to online learning during the pandemic was the great educational experiment nobody was prepared for, or even wanted. Then-President Rodrigo Duterte already announced that there would be no return to face-to-face classes until a vaccine was available. As early as June 2020, Clarissa Delgado knew she had to resort to some pretty drastic measures if she didn’t want her students to fall even further through the cracks. “We made the controversial decision that we would physically deploy all of our teachers to the communities,” she says. “I think that was the key difference between Teach for the Philippines and all the other NGOs in the country.” Despite the travel restrictions, the quarantines, and the great uncertainties that everyone was living with at the time, teachers…

WE HAVE BEEN MODERNIZING THE TERNO, the Filipiniana dress, since 19th century aristocrats were still referring to it as the traje de mestiza. In 1993, Ramón Valera liberated women from society’s expectations of modesty by removing the panuelo, which is a small cloth usually folded into a triangle. He turned the four-piece ensemble into a one-piece dress that could be zipped up. Then came Salvacion Lim Higgins, a woman designing for women, who gave the ladies the leg room to match their longer strides: the bouffant shape of creations was her answer to Christian Dior’s “New Look” in the late 1940s. She was a visionary in the way she referenced the past and designed for the future. Now that clothing design is recognized as an art form, today’s designers are…

THROUGH THE YEARS, Ken Paves has worked on couture collections such as Valentino in Europe, and styled for stars like Jessica and Ashley Simpson, Céline Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Langoria, Kim Cattrall, Christina Applegate, and Heather Locklear. The celebrity hairdresser and TV personality is of Romanian, Portuguese, and Filipino descent and he knows the traits that make each hair type unique. “Getting what you want out of your hair should not be difficult,” he says. “Just be focused.” Vogue Philippines spoke briefly to the multi-slasher to get expert advice on how to treat our crowning glory. VP: WHAT DO WE NEED TO KNOW RIGHT NOW ABOUT HAIR CARE? KP: We need to understand our own hair and each of our unique hair needs. Rather than following trends that may not…

MARINE INGREDIENTS HAVE LONG BEEN A STAPLE IN SKINCARE. These rich natural wonders can do wonders for your skin. Today, beauty products from face creams to anti-aging treatments, cleansers, sunscreens, and makeup are loaded with marine derived elements. One of the ocean’s finest ingredients is also one of the most familiar: seaweed, a powerful plant packed with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and proteins. This comes in many varieties and provides anti-aging support, skin nourishment, and intense hydration. Dive in and discover the power of the ocean with these products that bring together effective natural ingredients and sustainable practices.…

FRAGRANCE For fashion designer Carl Jan Cruz, each scent possesses a distinct memory. Through his partner, his understanding of the nuances of fragrance deepened. “I was introduced to the layers and got a better context of every scent’s meaning,” he says. Dried eucalyptus, narra wood and kalachuchi resonate with the designer. Oud is one of his favorite notes. “It’s grounding,” he explains. Nostalgia plays the hero in his scent preferences. “My first bottle was a baby cologne and I found a similar scent from CDG’s Cologne Vettiveru.” If he were to create his own fragrance, he says that he would like the scent to remind him of his brand’s own memories. It would be “depicting fabric storages, rubber cutting mat, oiled sewing machines, industrial press and the occasional meals taken…

PEARLS—prized and precious, have been around for thousands of years. Celebrated as one of the world’s oldest gems, these objects of beauty have been revered before written history. They represent rare and enduring elegance. The journey of becoming a pearl is told through its particular formations —from its raw state to baroque shapes and glistening spheres. Skin this season takes on a glazed look, inspired by the pearl’s iridescent luster.…

How to go large on accessories? Keep everything minimal and draw the eye towards a single body part. This season, bigger is definitely better—accessories on the runway went bold with stacked warrior-woman bracelets at Saint Laurent and danglers-as-big-as-phones at Courrèges. Colossal pearl made Givenchy’s giant moment, while Mossi kept it focused on one grand statement: an oversized white earring in bloom.…

Blame it on the past years’ tumult and the minimal everyday uniform it embraced—fashion just wants to park anything safe. Enter glint, glamor, and luster: eye-catching footwear will surely be your next trophy purchase. Jil Sander’s bright yellow, square toe kitten heel mules are a golden bet to the trend, while Prada’s knifepoint mary jane wedges in gunmetal are a prime sweet-and-sexy option. Loewe draws attention to the ankles with a beautiful ornamental bow that contrasts a slim toe strap and stiletto heel, proving that even silver can still be gold.…

ONE TRUE PAIR Blazers and skirts in hues that match. Jil Sander reinvents a classic double-breasted blazer with a tulipshaped hip, adding curves to an otherwise boxy silhouette. If you want a quirky option, Coperni’s version comes with a knotted breast detail instead of lapels. Another element to look out for: a split skirt that can take you from boardroom-to-beach in a snap. CHECKED OUT Start the season with a nod to the ‘90s. Created 27 years ago, Clueless’s Cher Horowitz’s plaid Dolce & Gabbana set was a striking fitted and abbreviated match. The 2020s rework has moved away from the body in an anti-fit that’s more cozy than constricting. See the checked pattern anew with Versace’s houndstooth iterations: a hot pink pattern clash between a macro blazer and a…

ARCHIVE FASHION For those in the know, Salvacion Lim Higgins—also known as Slim—is an icon. Before she established Slim’s, the first fashion and arts institution in the country whose alumni roster includes some of the Philippines’ most talented couturiers, she was already recognized as a trailblazing designer. “Empowerment” may not have been a by-word yet for mid-century Filipinas, but that was what her creations accomplished. With a genius for crafting glamorously inventive, gravity-defying designs, and the first to reinvent the butterfly-sleeved terno with bravado, grace, and ease, she created clothes for the Filipina emerging from her chrysalis. “She was very much a product of her time,” shares Mark Lewis Higgins, Slim’s son. “She grew up in the province, came to the big city to study Fine Arts at UST, but…

Anthony Alvarez is a man rooted in many places. New York-born and Paris-raised to a Filipino father and a French mother, the founder of menswear label Bluemarble has a multivalenced perspective of the pale blue dot we all call home. From a young age, Alvarez internalized the fact that the bonds between people have the power to traverse any distance. “With my friends in Paris, we had this small group where we would, during school vacation, go to the south of France to surf,” he says. “We’d also go to the skatepark as often as we could after class. I guess this carried on to when I got a bit older and it was really a way to: disconnect from everything going on.” To him, it’s clearly not just about…

DESIGNER FEATURE “Sorry my camera isn’t on, I’m currently in transit.” Rhuigi Villaseñor is in a car, somewhere in Milan, only a few days after showing his Spring/Summer 2023 collection for Rhude in Paris. Three years ago, he made his official fashion week debut in the French capital, but the supposed encores have been upended by the pandemic and its oscillating travel restrictions. His streetwear brand, Rhude, however is back in the City of Lights, filling the otherwise quiet hallways of the Sorbonne with the buzzy and frenetic energy of a live fashion show. When probed on the choice of Paris among other fashion cities, the LA-based Filipino designer shares, “Paris to me was one of the reasons I got into this world of high fashion, and design in general,”…

L ow Leaf is a multi-instrumentalist producer, singer, songwriter, musician, and artist. That’s how she described herself to me, in that order, as I called in from Manila at 9 A.M. Where I was, the sun peered between two skyscrapers. She was speaking from Los Angeles, where it was 6 P.M. I could tell from the video call as the golden sunlight beamed on her brown and magenta ombré hair. She wore a teal tube top with accordion folds, hoop earrings, a septum piercing, and Swarovski crystals between her teeth. Low Leaf told me that since moving to Pasadena, where the sun shines differently, she doesn’t spend her mornings guessing the time anymore. Pre-pandemic was also a very different time. She was a very different person. “I used to be…

I t’s 6:30 in the morning and I am on the San Juan Public Beach. Rolling waves crashing on the shore behind me, a gigantic metal-and-bamboo structure of interconnected spheres in front, I bob along to the 2011 Gusttavo Lima hit “Balada Boa.” Hands up in the air and down again, a shuffling of feet. I have trouble keeping up; I’ve never done Zumba before. Things are made harder by the bulbous contraption strapped to my head, all fluorescent pink netting and wire. It reminds me of the jellyfish that come to the waters of La Union in the summertime, if those jellyfish were giants. All around me are a bevy of women and some men also strangely attired. Most wear costumes of discarded plastic bottles that had washed up…

FEATURE Like a lot of us before COVID, Kenneth Cobonpue and his team lived a fast-paced life filled with numbers, collections, and deadlines. “We were always pressured to come up with new designs, new collections,” the multi-awarded furniture designer recalls. “A lot of things were hurried.” Having taken the time spent in lockdown in the past two years to pause, recalibrate, and see where his brand is going, Cobonpue has taken a decidedly slower pace, admitting that he is ”more conscious now.” Rather than thinking about “what’s next,” the designer says he’s more cognizant of whether he is doing “something that’s really unique, something that’s original, and something that’s needed, in a way.” “There are a lot of things that can be found in our culture, in our skills, and…

TO GET TO THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, you need to walk on a wooden footbridge that traverses a dense mangrove forest. Depending on the height of the tide, you can wade the rest of the way, crossing tide pools, muddy streams, and golden beaches, passing oddly shaped rock apparitions until you hear whoosh of the ocean. It’s a thunderous sound, like never-ending applause or a hard driving rain. But the noise is just the sound of the waves beating upon the rocky coastline and the windy echoes that reverberate through the cliffs, those craggy rock formations that have stood sentinel on the shores of Northern Samar for millions of years. Welcome to Biri, an island in the Visayas, one among over seven thousand in the archipelago of the Philippines.…

SHOPPING SHADOW EFFECT Set the tone of the moment in lazuli blue or jade from Morphe and Make Up forever and combine these vivid hues with trans-seasonal neutrals from Nars. Complete fall’s color story with the current pigments from Shiseido and MAC Cosmetics interpreted in matte and shimmer shades. POWER POUT Seal your looks with a kiss. For that timeless red, turn to the MAC Cosmetics Powder Kiss Lipstick in Stay Curious, or for a cool nude, the Tom Ford Lip Color in Sable Smoke. PLAYFUL POLISH Go simple or go French. Unexpected colors like Barry Ms Night Sky or Sally Hansen Go Garnet Nail Color update the French manicure. Consider reliable solids like Les Mains Hermès in Jaune Impérial, a radiant solar hue, or no-fail metallics, like Chanel’s Solar…

“THERE’S ROOM FOR THE PHILIPPINES TO BE KNOWN AS A COUNTRY THAT PRODUCES SUSTAINABLE AND HEALTHY CUISINE,” says Rica Dakudao Buenaflor, Le Cordon Bleu-educated chef and Bicol-based founder of local food brand Que Rica. Here, we examine three distinctly Filipino superfoods that possess that potential to be a vehicle of nutrition as much as it is of flavor. FORBIDDEN RICE Incredibly high in antioxidants, forbidden rice (named as such they used to be reserved only for royalty) retains the vitamins, minerals, and fiber not found in polished white rice. “It’s a source of complex carbohydrates that doesn’t raise our blood sugar and doesn’t provoke the pancreas to create excess insulin,” says Jaime Galvez Tan, MD, MPH and chairman of the Health Futures Foundation Inc. of the rare rice variety thankfully…

The modern gentlemen are always in the know about the latest creams, serums, treatments. Now, men’s self-care routines have broadened: meticulously groomed brows, glossy lips and flawless skin are front and center. Create your own personalized skincare regimen with this beyond-the-basics products list.…

FEATURE “You can build a home in four years,” Elora Hardy declares at the beginning of an episode of Home, an Apple TV docuseries that looks at the world’s most innovative and imaginative dwellings. Elora is the daughter of John Hardy, a Canadian émigré who built Bali’s famous Green School, a structure made completely out of bamboo. Taking her father’s ideas further, Elora founded Ibuku, a design and construction company specializing in bamboo structures that defy all architectural conventions. Ibuku’s Sharma Springs house, which materializes out of the forest like some fantastical future-primitive space station, is all curves and bends and not a square room or door in sight. What Ibuku and other Southeast Asian firms like VTN in Vietnam have managed to achieve with the humble bamboo pole has…

FUTURE FIBER Photographs by KOJI ARBOLEDA Fashion Director PAM QUIÑONES PAGE 88 TEAM CREDITS: Makeup: Kim Roy Opog. Hair: Arthur Tolentino. Model: JV Librea. Stylist’s Assistant: Renee de Guzman. Photographer’s Assistant: Gab Villareal, Wilson Ang MADE TO ORDER Photographs by COLIN DANCEL Fashion Editor DARYL CHANG PAGE 100 Yaofa wears CHEETAH RIVERA top and skirt. Hannah wears MARTIN BAUTISTA top and skirt. STRUT sandals (PHP1,600) TEAM CREDITS: Makeup: Don de Jesus, Byron Velasquez of M.A.C Cosmetics. Hair: Jan Edrosolan, Dale Mallari. Nails: Posh Nails. Models: Yaofa dela Cruz, Hannah Khayle. Stylist’s Assistant: Ticia Almazan OUR TOWN Photographs by RENZO NAVARRO Features Editor AUDREY CARPIO PAGE 190 Leeroy wears a KELVIN MORALES shirt, UNIQLO pants PAGE 195 Sam wears a JOS MUNDO top, GOODTIMES BY HALO HALO pants. David wears a KELVIN MORALES barong PAGE 196 Ea wears a PROUDRACE…